# 110 v foot switch **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696 "2007-12-03T19:45:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/1 "2007-12-03T19:45:13Z")
I have this fountain in my entryway at home. It is about eight feet tall, and very heavy. The drawback is that when I get home, to turn it on I have to get down on my hands and knees and reach very awkwardly around the back of it to plug it in. And the same goes for the back-lighting light. The electrical outlet behind it is not tied to a wall switch (which would be ideal!) So now I’m looking for a foot switch that would just be of the on/off type. All I can find online are those big, ugly industrial ones. I need one that doesn’t look so heavy duty and ugly. Anybody have any ideas where I may find such a beast? Thank you very much! ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/2 "2007-12-03T19:55:41Z")
Maybe one of these? [http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=remote+wall+switch&um=1&ie=UTF-8](http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=remote+wall+switch&um=1&ie=UTF-8) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/3 "2007-12-03T19:57:51Z")
How about using an X-10 compatible [outdoor appliance and lighting module](http://www.smarthome.com/2000BE.html)? You can set this up to work with standard X-10 wireless remote controls, X-10 plugin timers and switches or even control it from your PC. You wouldn’t even have to go outside to turn it on. ---
**Author:** ![Skipper\_Too](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Skipper\_Too](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skipper_Too)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/4 "2007-12-03T19:58:53Z")
What about a wireless Key Fob Switch [Like This](http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10740&filter=Dust%20collection) I have one in my garage for my dust collector and as long the Amperage you are running is in line with what it is rated for you should be fine. I have thought about using it to help with some pranks at work, like pluggin a coworkers computer into it now that his new computer doesn’t turn off randomly, just to make him think it is him. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/5 "2007-12-03T19:58:55Z")
[QUOTE=justrob] Maybe one of these? [http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=remote+wall+switch&um=1&ie=UTF-8](http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=remote+wall+switch&um=1&ie=UTF-8) [/QUOTE] Not bad, but none of those are suitable for outdoor use, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/6 "2007-12-03T20:04:17Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Not bad, but none of those are suitable for outdoor use, unfortunately. [/QUOTE] Yes, unfortunately after I posted I realized most of them were for 12V also. Maybe one of these. [http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&\_trksid=m37&satitle=remote+outdoor+outlet&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=53217&sabfmts=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=](http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=remote+outdoor+outlet&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=53217&sabfmts=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=) ---
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/7 "2007-12-03T20:06:28Z")
This fountain is indoors…in my entryway. It isn’t outdoors. Cool! Now I have some leads to look in to… Hmmm… **justrob** those say 12V, not 110V. \*\*Q.E.D.\*\*I suppose that could work indoors also. **Skipper Too** that looks like it would work…but it is a bit industrial looking… ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/8 "2007-12-03T20:22:37Z")
First thing I thought of was [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clapper)… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/9 "2007-12-03T20:24:59Z")
[QUOTE=Rico] First thing I thought of was [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clapper)… 😛 [/QUOTE] Well, you know…I may consider a Clapper! Some of these other idea’s look a little complicated for a technodummy like me. But heck, I think I can clap my hands together…with a little practice that is. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/10 "2007-12-03T20:29:14Z")
Something like [this?](http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-Indoor-Footswitch-Extension/dp/B00004SQHU) Given the time of year, you might have some success going to a Home Despot type store and checking out their Christmas light section. The’ve got all sorts of indoor & outdoor extension cord/switch combos. I got the switch linked above there a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/11 "2007-12-03T20:33:10Z")
[QUOTE=muldoonthief] Something like [this?](http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-Indoor-Footswitch-Extension/dp/B00004SQHU) Wow, I thought this was it…until I noticed that it doesn’t have the third/ground prong…dang it! ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/12 "2007-12-03T21:47:55Z")
Have you considered an appliance timer? Radio Shack, about $8-$30, depending on the kind you buy? Then you wouldn’t even have to turn it on or off, it’d be done for you. The kind I have was about $25, has a digital clock, and can turn itself on and off up to six times a day, depending on your programming. Plus, you can turn the appliance on or off by pushing a single button on the timer, without messing up your programming. edit: [Here](http://www.rewci.com/insedaydiprt.html) is the sort of thing I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110-v-foot-switch/428696/13 "2007-12-03T22:59:49Z")
Hey now, we may be on to something here **Max**! And there is even a Radio Shack on my way home. Hmmmmmmm. Thanks!